"And how does it feel to absorb a dragon soul? Can you sense it within you? Do they make you more bloodthirsty?"-Nerius asked a lot of questions during their trip to Windhelm, and it was to be expected; that Rialyn enjoyed his genuine interest; it helped them connect a little.
"It's almost as if feeling your blood course…The hot, burning blood lasts for a few moments before it's over, and I feel renewed and stronger."
While answering these questions, Rialyn remembered many of his travels and adventures all across Skyrim. Learning words of power from Greybeards, teaming up with the Blades to learn of a way to resist dragons, ensuring there is a truce between Empire and Stormcloaks, defeating Alduin in Sovngarde…It was a crazy path. Rialyn didn't even have time to wonder how he ended up this way. Perhaps it will come one day, but he wanted to focus on the present.
They arrived at Windhelm's gates.
The very heart of Nordic culture and, until recently, the capital of the Stormcloak rebellion. Rialyn could see the snow falling on his steel armor and the chill going through his bones. Due to the climate of Bruma and Skyrim, the Dragonborn was used to the temperature. It didn't bother him too much.
Rialyn and Nerius followed along the streets of Windhelm; the dark elf could see imperial guards wandering around and keeping the peace; there were few citizens outside of their homes, and they mostly kept to themselves. He wore his armor and hid his face; as long as he didn't attract any attention, there shouldn't be trouble.
Rialyn carried a letter from Brynjolf, which served as a direction for him and proof that he was an ally of the guild. It pointed to the Gray quarter, to a dark elf named Velidis Thannes, who was the agent of the thieves guild among Windhelm's dunmer; he was supposed to help with an expedition to Morrowind. Rialyn could only hope that now dark elves would be allowed better treatment under the Imperial government; the fact that they ran to places like Windhelm only to leave Morrowind showed how dire the situation there was.
"Grr…I heard much about this place but never got prepared for all the cold."-Nerius said, interrupting Dovahkiin's thought process.
"It was much warmer during my last proper visit. Might have something to do with the city being on fire."-He answered sarcastically.
"Ah, yes, the famous siege of Windhelm, you were there, weren't you? You've done all of us a great service that day."
"Local nords would disagree."
"I'd say they brought this on themselves by pushing those who don't look like them away to the docks and separate quarters."
"That's why I joined the Empire…Although, these nords have their own culture attacked by Thalmor. If there's anything I learned about them, it is that worship of Talos is a key part of their religion; if someone were to take that away from them, no one would be accepting of it."
"True, but it still doesn't justify their actions."
"I know, I just wish…I could relate."-Rialyn didn't want the conversation to be this way, and he decided to ask something he had been wondering for a while now. "Nerius, do you realize that my people used yours as slaves long ago? You may protest how nords treat argonians, but it wouldn't be any better there."
"I am used to others having little trust for my people; there, I would at least be able to see a different province, the one that is not so cold…I don't know what opportunities it will give me, but it's better to travel in search of them than to live your life as a poor dock worker in Riften."
"Can't argue with that."
"Besides, it's closer to Argonia; perhaps this can be a return home for me as well…."
"Black Marsh and Morrowind are at war, so that won't be easy."
"We'll see…For now, I'll just follow you and look for opportunities life will present me. And what about you? Why do you want to go to Morrowind?"
"Well…To find something I will never find here. It's my ancestral homeland, but I've never been there, and at the time of need, my abilities and powers would find a good use there."
"Then we both are the same, really. Outcasts trying to find a place among our own kind."
"Surprised?"
"Well, it's just disarming to realize that you and the greatest hero of Skyrim share the same problem."
"I am not a god or anything, just another traveler…I wish I were a hero in my homeland rather than here."
"It was always a little odd to me that the new Dragonborn is not a nord, or at least, a man."
"A cruel twist of irony, both for me and nords."
"Do you think this means that any mer can be Dragonborn? Orc? Khajiit? Argonian?"
"Akatosh can bless anyone. I didn't…"-But before Rialyn could continue, he caught a glimpse of someone surprisingly familiar. A man in the distance, a few houses away from him, watched Rialyn closely. The dark elf turned towards him and tried his best to recognize him, but as soon as he noticed the Dragonborn, the man immediately disappeared behind one of the buildings.
"Hey, where are you going?"-Nerius asked as Rialyn mechanically followed this mysterious man; the argonian went after the Dragonborn. Still, they didn't make it too far, as something else caught Rialyn's attention.
The Thalmor.
Three elven soldiers stood at the doorstep of one of the houses with an old nordic woman at her door, trying to prevent them from entering.
"To ensure the enforcement of the Concordat, we are to search your house for any traces of the heretic worship. Move along."-One of them said sternly.
"Please, I have nothing, I swear! You can't just invade our property like that!"
"We most certainly can. In fact, we must ensure that the citizens show no sympathy to the traitor Stormcloak."
"But I am no fighter; I have a son to feed, don't take anything away, please!"
"If you are so reluctant, you hit something to hide. Last warning, move along!"-The elven warriors seemed merciless; the woman pleaded and was soon forcefully pushed aside by one of them as the elves entered her house. Rialyn could help her and kill the altmer but doing so would blow his cover and leave no chance to travel to Morrowind. Sometimes, hard decisions had to be made. Nerius watched with some sympathy.
"Is that what you meant? Nordic culture being attacked?"
Rialyn nodded.
"Thalmor is our common enemy; having others fight among themselves is exactly what they want."
"Do you think the Empire will fight back one day?"
"I don't know. I did the most I could by ensuring they won't have to fight on two fronts; the rest is up to them. We have another task."
"Yes, of course. How far is it to Gray quarter?"
"We're almost here."
The two followed the road until they reached the district that housed the city's dunmer. Before the Imperial takeover, tensions between the nords and dunmer were frequent, and they were unlikely to go away quickly, but the Dragonborn held onto hope that now things would change for the better.
Agent's house was supposed to be in the northeastern end of the district; he would not show any signs of his true allegiance, of course, until he saw the letter. But it was likely that the news of a visitor had already reached him. The house Rialyn and Nerius approached was a small shop of general goods, a cover maintained by Velidis to keep prying eyes away.
"Is this it?"-Nerius wasn't quite sure.
"The closest one to the description I got."-Rialyn said before knocking on the door; there was no response. He hit again after a few moments, and this time the door was opened by a dunmer shopkeeper, who looked at the two suspiciously.
"It's closed; come back tomorrow if you want anything."-He said in a dry voice, but before he could shut the door, Rialyn stepped forward and showed him the letter.
"Perhaps this might change your mind?"-The dark elf examined it and saw Brynjolf's signature. He looked around to ensure they were not being watched and opened the door.
"Come in, quickly."
They went inside the shop, and the owner closed the door; Nerius let out a sigh of relief.
"Finally, some warmth."
Rialyn and the shopkeeper looked at each other, intrigued.
"Velidis Thannes, I presume."-Rialyn said.
"Give me the letter."-He read it carefully before nodding slightly. "The Dragonborn himself, then…You certainly seem to enjoy hiding your identity."
"One of the many lessons taught by the Thieves Guild."
"And the argonian is Nerius, I presume? Brynjolf mentioned him as well."
"Let's say I am the first volunteer for Dragonborn's expedition."-Nerius replied, while Velidis switched back to Rialyn.
"You know, when I first read about your expedition, I thought it was a foolish joke. Now it seems you might be insane."-Velidis was in disbelief.
"I didn't come here for an argument."-Rialyn responded calmly.
"Our people run from Morrowind, seeing it as the doomed land it is. This is how Grey Quarter came to be. Do you really think there's much you can do for these people?"
"They are your people, too."
"And I think it will be better should they move away. It just has to see the Dragonborn and the master thief leave for something so…Unrealistic."
"And do you even know what I plan to do there?"
"I can guess. To fight for dunmer and destroy their enemies? To bring them back to glory? One elf cannot do such a feat; you should remember that."-Velidis continued to argue.
"No, not quite right."
"Then what do you want there?"
Nerius intervened in their talk.
"I hope I'm not too bothersome, but shouldn't we be discussing logistics instead of this?"
Rialyn nodded and followed this through.
"We should get to the matter at hand, shouldn't we?"
"Fine,"-Velidis responded. "If you want a ship and a crew to travel to Morrowind, I can arrange that. Just find some loyal men; it won't take long."
"As simple as that?"
"You will have to stay here for a few days. Thalmor agents are getting extremely nosy, and I'm afraid they will want to "have a talk" with you."
"I could help with finding the right people."
"Too dangerous; we don't want to stir trouble. This expedition is unlawful if you forget. Your argonian friend will be of some use. He is not recognized by Thalmor."
Rialyn sighed; he had no other choice.
"And once the crew is ready?"
"You are free to leave."
Only a few days more…The moment was close. Rialyn felt it.